AFC Culture

[skoobydoo]

The Sydney 'culture' is topical at the moment and from poster submissions and media articles it appears to be clearly defined and more importantly, recognised, known and understood by 'Bloods' players...ie it does not appear to be some loosely inherited bunch of qualities that exist in theory only. But I am only surmising this to be the case....I really have no close first hand experience of the how, what, where and why of their 'culture'.

On the other hand the AFC has just emerged from a very badly managed ****-up which has caused people to revisit factors oft promoted as negatives for footballers, at least those from interstate, living and playing here in SA. Things like 'fish-bowl', 'family', 'go home', etc, are terms which come to mind.

What I want to ask is....what is the Crows, Adelaide Football Club culture? Does it exist? Is it developed, refined and accepted to the point that it is generally known by people in the club and those that follow the Crows?

I'm being perfectly genuine in asking this question, because I honestly don't know what is/can be claimed as our culture.

Over to you more knowledgable posters...........

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Hard working, disciplined, single minded, professional, honest, fit...

These are probably the qualities we've displayed. A lot of that was driven by Neil to his credit. New recruits reel these things off when they arrive still to this day.

Behaviour-wise it hasn't quite come together. We've had relatively few behaviour issues except some biggies (Bock's missus, Goody's gambling) that we've gone soft on and then some minor ones (10 minutes over curfew, Bernie shorts down, Tex beer, Johncock's "recovery" sessions) and have come down like a tonne of bricks on these.

I reckon the McLeod-Edwards thing undermined our culture for years. I know they are both favourite sons and I love them, but what a disgrace. Talk about a pair of queens.

We've seemingly drafted well-behaved, smart, clean cut young men rather than backing our "culture" in to bring talented players up to speed. This has been to our detriment IMO and really means that the culture isn't that strong.

 

[1970crow]

Yeh, but it can change with the Rory/danger culture going forward. If they stay and lead, with vbs handover, then our culture is assured.

 

[SugarShane]

Yeh, but it can change with the Rory/danger culture going forward. If they stay and lead, with vbs handover, then our culture is assured.

Let's just hope Rory and Danger's women don't spill any drinks on each other.

 

[Geoffa32]

Hard working, disciplined, single minded, professional, honest, fit...

These are probably the qualities we've displayed. A lot of that was driven by Neil to his credit. New recruits reel these things off when they arrive still to this day.

Behaviour-wise it hasn't quite come together. We've had relatively few behaviour issues except some biggies (Bock's missus, Goody's gambling) that we've gone soft on and then some minor ones (10 minutes over curfew, Bernie shorts down, Tex beer, Johncock's "recovery" sessions) and have come down like a tonne of bricks on these.

I reckon the McLeod-Edwards thing undermined our culture for years. I know they are both favourite sons and I love them, but what a disgrace. Talk about a pair of queens.

We've seemingly drafted well-behaved, smart, clean cut young men rather than backing our "culture" in to bring talented players up to speed. This has been to our detriment IMO and really means that the culture isn't that strong.

I think the playing culture is quite good and has been for some time. The way in which Edwards/Macca could be enemies off field and yet perform at a high level (even together) on field is a testament to the expectation of professionalism within the playing group. Basically all personal issues are put aside when at work.

 

[Smoooothy]

Let's just hope Rory and Danger's women don't spill any drinks on each other.

i dunno, that sounds pretty hot...

 

[Tex Support]

Everything that I hear out of the current players and coach makes me think the culture of this club is in good order, tracking towards something very special. I almost expect the criticism of the club in the media lately to serve as motivation for the lads.

I'd like the entire organisation to be on the same path, and hopefully these last few months have provided the shake up that was obviously needed. Hopefully a new off-field team can jump on board and ride along with the on-field one.

There's plenty of doom and gloom around here lately, which is fair enough, but once the season starts up again, I expect the positive vibes will return. Looking forward to reading about how good Danger was on the weekend, or how much some of the younger guys like Lyons and Kerridge have improved, or how Tex is leading the Coleman etc, instead of people whinging about how they dont like the look of a guernsey, how much they hate Tippett, or how its all Triggs fault...

As a supporter, all I really care about is premiership points.

I can see Sando and this group of players getting bigger and better in 2013...

 

[Johnny Rutten]

Have you guys heard about Sydney's amazing Bloods' culture? It's so radical!

 

[Slippery Pete]

The "Bloods" culture is a bit of a wank. Same as the "shinboner spirit."

Port Adelaide cornered the market in having people believe there was something special about their culture. Did someone say creed? What exactly was that again?

All that really matters is winning premierships. And winning premierships requires 22+ men pulling in exactly the same direction, in every single facet possible. So if it works for you - go for it. And it has obviously worked for Sydney in the last decade or so.

But there's no reason any other club couldn't or shouldn't have the "culture" Sydney claims to have.

 

[alanlau34]

The "Bloods" culture is a bit of a wank. Same as the "shinboner spirit."

Port Adelaide cornered the market in having people believe there was something special about their culture. Did someone say creed? What exactly was that again?

All that really matters is winning premierships. And winning premierships requires 22+ men pulling in exactly the same direction, in every single facet possible. So if it works for you - go for it. And it has obviously worked for Sydney in the last decade or so.

But there's no reason any other club couldn't or shouldn't have the "culture" Sydney claims to have.

One of the other clubs to be said to have a strong culture is the Geelong Cats. And they made a conscious decision to model theirs after the Swans.

If AFC can improve their culture, it will be down to one man, Brenton Sanderson. From the Geelong Cats. Who built their culture thanks to the Swans.

Does that taste good?

 

[Wright Away]

Need to improve the Culture after the joke of a Qualifying final.

 

[SydCrow]

What matters IMO is the senior players committing to doing what it takes to win premierships and then leading by example. Danger/Sloane/Tex are showing great qualities.

All the rest of the Bloods culture (don't big note yourself, don't stick your head up etc) is just BS. Apparently they would ridicule any young player who talked to the press. Then Kirk turns up in the media and wonders why the Swans won't talk to him.

 

[Carmo]

Forget the bloods culture crap.

I've studied management bible after management bible and even bibles on management bible and an incredibly strong theme that comes out is "whatever works at the time is the way to do it".

That is, since sydney won it must be the bloods culture or something else (must be one or at most a few) that they do that is secret.

Probably also a few reports about recycling players etc as the reason why they won it.

Back to the management bibles its laughable, because they all say you must do this or that like the sky will fall if you dont and then ten years later you must do another different this or that or the sky will fall and so on. If these methods were really so good then why arent they enduring (at least for more than 2-10years)?

From my study of management, some things do emerge are associated with achieving good outcomes that are enduring:

Professionalism never hurts
Effort cant be emphasised enough especially coupled with a growth mindset - that is an understanding that abilities are not fixed or innate and that we are created far more equal that popular culture would have us think and its effort and environmental factors that result in the separation in ability between us.
A basic approach
I hate using trendy terms but along with a basic approach and oblique approach is often useful, that is dont go directly at what you want, but find a way to get to what you want by using a less direct approach.
Work to peoples strengths
Have people suited (based on their strengths) to the roles the organisation requires

There is no real way to manufacture these but they sure help too
Be lucky
Be in the right place at the right time

Anyway, Adelaide is well placed in professionalism, effort I believe, Sando got us back to a nice basic approach, this probably needs to extend off field as well, I think as well we are doing ok in the oblique stakes, something like getting the boys to focus on enjoying their footy and playing attractive footy and to their strengths are things in this category. That also means we seem to be working to our players strengths more now. I dont have enough info to comment about the org structure.

We were pretty lucky for most of the last season, perhaps other than the prelim.

 

[Mike Smyth]

Forget this "bloods" culture crap its all about the extra salary cap. The AFL can't afford for Sydney to be a basket so they gave/give them a huge advantage by way of extra salary cap. Name me another club who has been able to purchase the high commodity KPP forwards (Lockett, Hall and now Tippett who is high in $$$ but low in impact) that Sydney has been able to buy over the last 15 years.

 

[Harris Pilton]

One of the other clubs to be said to have a strong culture is the Geelong Cats. And they made a conscious decision to model theirs after the Swans.

If AFC can improve their culture, it will be down to one man, Brenton Sanderson. From the Geelong Cats. Who built their culture thanks to the Swans.

Does that taste good?

If you must masturbate, could you kindly do it on your own board?

 

[alanlau34]

If you must masturbate, could you kindly do it on your own board?

Nah, had enough of your posters prematurely spooge about the Tippett trade/draft fiasco right from the get go from Oct til now.

Although you may not like it, AFC could learn some things from us about how to run a board, coaching group, and player mentality.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Nah, had enough of your posters prematurely spooge about the Tippett trade/draft fiasco right from the get go from Oct til now.

Although you may not like it, AFC could learn some things from us about how to run a board, coaching group, and player mentality.

To be fair, not many clubs would want to swap histories with yours.

Lately you've got it together and done very well. Be careful you don't do TOO well though, like Brisbane did, as it will mean your advantages get scaled back.

 

[cmndstab]

Don't really understand people citing Dangerfield and Sloane as examples of a shift in culture. Dangerfield and Sloane are exactly the kinds of players who fit the old culture. Disciplined, fit, team-first, and wouldn't ever do something that embarrasses the club. They're very likeable, yes, not exactly larrakins.

The "Bloods" culture is a bit of a wank. Same as the "shinboner spirit."

Port Adelaide cornered the market in having people believe there was something special about their culture. Did someone say creed? What exactly was that again?

All that really matters is winning premierships. And winning premierships requires 22+ men pulling in exactly the same direction, in every single facet possible. So if it works for you - go for it. And it has obviously worked for Sydney in the last decade or so.

But there's no reason any other club couldn't or shouldn't have the "culture" Sydney claims to have.

Dead right.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I'd say Dangerfield in particular is absolutely nothing like Goodwin, Edwards, McLeod, Ricciuto and co in terms of how he carries himself, speaks and behaves.

Those blokes put you to sleep whenever they talked and had no presence about them off the field.

Dangerfield struts. If he's like anyone he's like Smart.

 

[cmndstab]

Dangerfield is a likeable person, yes. I don't think it's any more than that though. He's got a voice that's easy to listen to (which immediately strikes off everyone on that listen other than McLeod) and cheeky grin, but his speaking style is that of someone who will never, ever say anything that offends anyone else. I certainly wouldn't describe it as "struts".

 

[Hank93]

Dangerfield is a likeable person, yes. I don't think it's any more than that though. He's got a voice that's easy to listen to (which immediately strikes off everyone on that listen other than McLeod) and cheeky grin, but his speaking style is that of someone who will never, ever say anything that offends anyone else. I certainly wouldn't describe it as "struts".

He's probably got the best character off the field IMO. Funny, likeable, great sense of humour, intelligent and respectful.

Rory's probably in the same boat, but I don't think he has the same sort of confidence that Danger does. Patty sounds like an absolute natural in front of the camera or in the radio studio, but I haven't had the same feeling when Rory does media appearances.

 

[jenny61_99]

He's probably got the best character off the field IMO. Funny, likeable, great sense of humour, intelligent and respectful.

Rory's probably in the same boat, but I don't think he has the same sort of confidence that Danger does. Patty sounds like an absolute natural in front of the camera or in the radio studio, but I haven't had the same feeling when Rory does media appearances.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Rory earlier this year, and he's very natural. Listens to the questions intently and answers honestly. Is very confident, and doesn't come across as well drilled in club speak.

 

[BACCS]

Nah, had enough of your posters prematurely spooge about the Tippett trade/draft fiasco right from the get go from Oct til now.

Although you may not like it, AFC could learn some things from us about how to run a board, coaching group, and player mentality.

What are you exactly trying to get across on OUR board by posting crap like this? Are you offended people don't believe in the 'culture' philosophy?

Why do you feel we could learn from how Sydney how to run a coaching group and have strong player mentality? These are two morals our club have always been very strong on, and is why we have been successful onfield for sustained periods, just as Sydney have been. Bear in mind, I don't measure success by purely premierships, but finals appearances etc.

Sydney and Adelaide are both very well respected clubs amongst the competition.

I couldn't give a rats arse about the admin side of things.

 

[Geoffa32]

Forget this "bloods" culture crap its all about the extra salary cap. The AFL can't afford for Sydney to be a basket so they gave/give them a huge advantage by way of extra salary cap. Name me another club who has been able to purchase the high commodity KPP forwards (Lockett, Hall and now Tippett who is high in $$$ but low in impact) that Sydney has been able to buy over the last 15 years.

These guys were trying to get on the "Bloods" culture bandwagon this year as well?

 

[Wright Away]

Sydney have done very well to win their premierships it isn't like they received any special advantages or anything.......